Moving on for Life

“DON’T stay too long on the mountain. Break camp and advance.” This is just but one of a number of quotable lines courtesy of renowned writer-social anthropologist Dr. Melba Padilla Maggay, guest speaker for the 14th Pro-Life National Convention with the theme “Moving On For Life” held at the Bahay Ugnayan of the Good Shepherd Convent in Quezon City.

Her talk mainly concentrated on organizational morale boosting to keep each group on track and the importance of “moving on” during transition periods. According to her, one of the preliminary steps an organization needs to do to move on is to “accept change.” She quoted freely from Scripture to emphasize her points such as the need for us to accept the challenge of new wine skins, or going in and taking possession of the land, referring to Joshua conquering Jericho. “If we do not move on, the alternative is mission drift, or going round and round the wilderness, or from becoming machines to petrifying into monuments,” she said.

Dr. Maggay cited the example of Jesus Christ’s rise from adversities. According to her, “moving on is becoming like Christ in his death. In transition periods, there may be pain in dying and dormancy in entombness but like Christ the joy of arising awaits as we learn from our mistakes and make an effort to reinvent ourselves.”

With her ardent aspiration for the organizations to discern what lies ahead of them during times of transition, Dr. Maggay concluded her talk with a line uttered by American author Frederick Buechner saying that “the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

Dr. Maggay is a sought-after international speaker and consultant on culture and social development issues. She is currently president of the Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture, a research and training organization engaged in development, missiology and cross-cultural studies.

Her presentation during the Pro-life Convention was a fitting introduction to the succeeding activity that morning – the election of a new set of Pro-life Board of Trustees. Elected once more as President of the Board is Sec. Lito Atienza, a staunch pro-lifer ever since he was Mayor of the City of Manila. In fact, it was when he was President of Prolife Philippines that he issued an Executive Order for all Manila Health Centers and Hospitals to set up Natural Family Planning Programs and stopped the budget for contraceptives and sterilizations.

Elected as Chairperson of the Board is Antonio Kosca, former Chaircouple of Christian Family Movement, Family Life coordinator of the Diocese of Pasig and President of Meralco Foundation. Elected also are: Ed Sorreta as Vice President, Finda Lacanlalay as Treasurer and Xavier Padilla, Secretary. Looking forward to stronger advocacy especially in Congress are two new Board Members, Rep. Carissa Coscolluela and Rep. Irwin Tieng, both of Buhay partylist. Likewise, Janet “Babes” Malaya said she cannot wait to get to work for pro-life, having been the only Quezon City Councilor who voted against the Reproductive Health Ordinance that the Cubao Diocese fought so hard against. Other Board members include Eric Manalang, President of Kapatiran Party, Fatima “Baby” Nebrida-Ballesty of NBN Ch4, Mel Robles and Michael Velarde of El Shaddai, Esther Magleo (Daughters of Mary Immaculate and FINEX), Manny Amador and myself.

The Pro-life Convention was preceded by the national Conference on Responsible Parenthood and natural Family Planning. Over 300 participants from many dioceses, parishes, schools and organizations attended. Significant was the participation of the doctors and staff from the Manila and Davao health Departments, sharing to us how they have set up the natural Family Planning Program in their local government and encouraging mutual cooperation between the parishes and the government units. The delegates from the parishes were updated on modules on NFP and how to integrate it effectively into the Pre-Cana seminars. The teachers eagerly asked for the modules on Teen Sexuality and Fertility Education. While those involved in BEC and grassroots communities were encouraged to start RPNFP programs soon so that our people will not resort to contraceptives and ligation. Archbishop Paciano Aniceto was the main celebrant of the Closing mass that day, leading the Pro-life Oath of Commitment of the delegates.

For more information and counseling services, call pro-life office at 911-9911 or contact Sr. Pilar at 0920-945-5494.